A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:30

This scripture has been a favorite of mine for a number of years, but it was not always! For our graduation exercises from the Second Presbyterian Church’s Kindergarten in Union, South Carolina, some Biblical scenes were brought to life by our class. I was one of the actors and I was given the coveted role (HaHa!) of the man robbed, stripped, beaten and left half dead. Why couldn’t I have been selected to be the Good Samaritan or the innkeeper? They were the ones who helped (me). Even the priest and the Levite were better roles, but at least I wasn’t the donkey!

On our life’s journey, we can experience problems when we need help. I remember when I had an automobile accident in March 1993. I hit black ice, lost control of my Jeep Cherokee, which went up an embankment and came crashing down on the driver’s side. I crawled out the back of the vehicle. Fortunately, people stopped to make an initial assessment of how I was and to relay my need for help. In time, a trooper arrived followed by a tow truck that took me to a motel where I could rest, after being visually examined and determined to have suffered no serious injuries. I remained there for a day and a half before being rescued by my parents from the motel that lost power and had no food when the blizzard set in.

In life we do experience problems and we are blessed when persons stop to offer any help they can. Just as we have many opportunities to be Good Samaritans, let us not forget that sooner or later all of us will find ourselves in the need of help. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth, but we are also blessed when others reach out to help us in our times of need.

Prayer

O God, You are our refuge and strength. When we find ourselves in need, as we all will at one time or another, thank You for inspiring others to reach out and help us. Keep us ever mindful of what it means to be a good neighbor. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.